SYSTEM FOR INDEXING AND DISPLAY REQUESTED DATA HAVING HETEROGENEOUS CONTENT AND REPRESENTATION

A system and method provides flexible access to heterogeneous information from numerous sources. This is accomplished without relocating the original data, by analyzing the data in its existing format and assorted locations, in order to discern the logical structure of the data, in terms of whatever units might be applicable for the specific type of data in question (e.g., paragraphs, sections, articles, chapters, frames, etc.). The result is an object-oriented model of that data structure. The system also allows for customization of the format for displaying the information, once the model has been constructed. The data thus remains in its original location and format, but is presented through the system in a coherent, uniform format.